EGMONT PARK BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 June 1928, Page 9

EGMONT PARK BOARD.

W ESTER N COM MITTEE

TRACK WORK DONE,

There were present at a special meeting heicl of the' West an 1 Committee of che Egmont Pa rk Hoard at Oaonui: Messrs M. S'. Hughs on (chairman), G. Gibson. C. W. Clemance, J. Tosland, (". Kivetts and G. Holmes. The chairman welcomed the newly-appointed members of tire committee l , Messrs Tosland, Holmes 1 and Evetts.

A* an outcome of the meeting, it was decided to institute an active campaign for opening up the west area of the mountain for tourists.

The chairman stressed the need of all residents realising the value of the asset they had in their access to the mountain from the west, and that the committee should confine its activities to; opening' up and developing that track and keeping the Ivaluii Road hut in good l order, realising that the two hostels at present built wem sufficient for some time to come. The tracks leading from Okato through the Punilio road and that from Kabul Road were in fair order, but needed constant work, because of the swampy nature of tlv ground surrounding them. The track from the hut to Bell’s Falls would need clearing in the spring. He said the Park Board was fully alive to the needte of the committee, and would do everything possible to help. He urgpd every member to assist in 'preservation of the forest in the reserve.

Acknowledging the welcome extended'. Mr J. S. Toslandi said that apparently a new era. wa s beginning for thp western side of tire mountain. Years ago no doubt, a few enthusiasts conceived the idea, of making a track; wp the Kahili Road on to 'the mountain. Being hard workers, they, by voluntary work no doubt. ,put iin the track, built the present hilts, and generally dad much commendable work. As in the course of time these enthusiasts left the district the won-k of sustaining the hut and conserving the forest was left to a verv few. These naturally wore .resident in the vicinity, and. having very limited moans, confined all their efforts 1.0 Kahui. Although a Western Park Committee existed, nominated by the local authorities, these two. authorities regarded l the National Park of so litto consequence that it was usually difficult to cet representative men to nil the position. Undoubtedly the few who carried on the work have, under the c-Vou instances, done yeoman service. Now however, a. change was coming. There was no doubt that the mountain was one of New' Zealand’s greatest scenic attractions, and probably toi rugged grandeur the western slopes overshadowed them all. In n ] ' al ,P e measure due to the interest taken by the present board, people were realising that apart from its scenic vahip. the mountain and its forest-clad slopes were an inestima.ble asset to the nrovnee.

The speaker confessed that .personally lie was more concerned with the conservation of the natural forest, and fqn- the last three or four years he had from his position as a. councillor 'strenuously advocated any measure which h',-1 to its preservation. However, the increasing goat menace led him to the '--Per that the most effective means to conserve the forest would he to make it accessible to nnv hunter. This, ho considered, could best, be done by o.oanina - no the scenic spots and connecting" the whole bv means of tracks. Owin<Fto the restricted finances of the committee little individually could be undertaken, but collectively, with the syninathctic practical support of the uni-lic. all in time void if be achieved.' The chairman said that . undoubtedly Ontmake bad lagged behind, and be lamed the peonle would: now support the cenim.itt.ee in its work.

Messrs Tosl an<l and Holmes reported that the track newly opened tc Brume’ Falls, from the head of the Ibaja Road, wais practically completed, ancl it was now possible for the public to visit these falls in safety and reasonable comfort. It was considered that it- would be in every way desirable to have a, large party visit the falls on a suitable, day shortly. The cost of opening the track was considered to. be very low, it having only taken £9 to. put it- through. It was decided to continue the track at a ,!aa?r date to the moss Line, so that persons desirous of climbing to the mountain direct from Opunake would have an opportunity of doing so. It was further decided that a rough survey should be made to decide the '•ability or otherwise of a track to lead from the Brume’s Fall track to tis 3 Kahui hut. Direct access was to N , bad to this but from Olcato and Rahotu. and the isame privileges'should lie given to Opunake. ■Tne need of having the. road from Kahui -gazetted a secondary highway was stressed, and the chairman is to 'communicate with the Highways Board in the matter.

In regard to membership, it was considered that the voting membership should be increased to not less than seven, three being nominated by die Opunake Town Board, three by the FI - mont County, and one by the Taranaki County as representing the Olcato end, of the district, the Okato riding of the Taranaki County being in the Wert Committee’s area. The chairman mentioned that an application had already been made Hi rough the Park Board for a grant to cover the expense of opening up th.o view track.